Tuesday, 2 May 2006

An explosion ripped through a building used by Palestinian security forces in the northern Gaza Strip on Tuesday, killing two security officers and wounding three others, Palestinian security sources said.

The Israeli army said it was not involved in the incident.

Palestinian sources said the explosion took place in the facility's command center in the Jabalya refugee camp.

Palestinian security sources initially said an Israeli artillery shell slammed into the building.

Palestinian security sources later said they were investigating whether the blast was caused by an explosion within the building.

The Israeli military has stepped up air strikes against militants and well as artillery barrages against what it says are rocket launch sites used by militants.

"We don't know of any activity in the area, whether that be of the air force or artillery units," said an army spokesman.

Israel completed its withdrawal of Jewish settlers and troops from Gaza last September after 38 years of occupation.